Exciting IPL news for Indian cricket enthusiasts! According to recent reports, Hardik Pandya seems set to rejoin the Mumbai Indians squad in the upcoming season. Worth noting, Hardik led the Gujarat Titans in the initial two seasons.
As per a reliable BCCI source, the Mumbai Indians are eyeing the versatile all-rounder Hardik Pandya as the potential successor to Rohit Sharma for the captaincy role. Ongoing talks about this transition have been in progress since the conclusion of the last IPL season.
Hardik Pandya Set to Make a Comeback with Mumbai Indians
In ongoing negotiations, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans are close to finalizing a deal involving Hardik Pandya. An official announcement is expected soon, with Mumbai Indians matching Hardik’s Rs 15 crore salary, potentially leading to the release of players like Jofra Archer. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans are on the lookout for a suitable replacement for Hardik.
According to a BCCI source quoted by Times of India, the decision between Hardik and Mumbai Indians was made months before the World Cup, and tensions have risen between Titans management and the player. Both franchises are working on the details before making an official announcement.
Having previously led the Titans to victory in their inaugural season, Hardik is considered a potential white-ball captain for India. Once the deal is sealed, he will reunite with his former team, Mumbai Indians, where he had a longstanding association before joining Gujarat Titans.
Reportedly, Mumbai Indians are seeking a captain for the long term, considering Rohit Sharma’s impending career conclusion and his expressed desire to step down from T20I captaincy. Despite heavy investments in Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav after releasing Hardik in 2022, the franchise is still unsatisfied with their captaincy skills.